Posted: 2003.05.04(Sun)19:50 Post subject: FAQ: Can I use SAND as substrate? How to convert?

At my local fish store they have some sand bottom freshwater tanks , is that a very good idea ??
It really looks nice with the rocks and a few plants in there with it , if its not real hard on the filters or fish I may try to set my next tank up with sand bottom ,
all suggestions welcomed

Sand is a great substrate for live plants! It's a good idea, just watch the filter intake is not too close to the bottom so it doesn't suck as much sand up. Sand is really good for opening doors, it allows you to keep burrowing species.

:d... this is just a question out of curiocity..
but what if the sand gets stuck in the fishes' gills...
XD I'd imagin that might hurt a bit...
but that'd make the natural fish that live in
natural dirt and gravel rivers look like superfish.. :d_________________people keep telling me I look like a 16 year old but I'm actually 18 .. XD

I have used sand in my 5 gallon and had a filter intake about a half inch from the bottom and this was a 20-40 gallon filter turned down real low but I had no probs with it I don't have live plants though so I can't say anything on that subject_________________geocities.com/blake_hanley/Guppy.html

I'm just putting together a new tank, with some shell dwellers in it, so it has a sand substrate. The question is, how do I plant root plants, like vals, in sand? Should I put in root tabs, etc? How do I prevent them from getting dug up?

Any suggestions are very much appreciated_________________Go, Leafs, Go!!!!

mixing in some finer sized gravel would help give some weight to it and hold the plants down a little. or also you could place a couple small stones near or around the stems to help keep the sand from getting disturbed there.

Is is hard to grow plant with success in sand...it is too compact, and plants don't grow too well in it. Plus, 'dead spots' may form do to lack of circulation..! But since you will use it, I suggest you put a layer of Laterite under the bed of sand...